Premier League: GW12 Retrospect – Part 1

Where do I begin on what has transpired this Saturday to kick off the majority of activity for Gameweek 12. Anticipation was running high, but that’s commonplace for every week of the EPL. On the back of two green arrows I was looking to make it a third, out of the international break. It took until Friday but decided to roll my FT over to Gameweek 13.
I felt there were a few question marks in my squad heading into Gameweek 12. I had considered moving Sead Kolasinac, Marcos Alonso and Aaron Cresswell, but all three made it through to the weekend. Looking at the history of Arsenal v. Spurs I decided to start Kolasinac, in search of an attack return. I lucked out, picking up a CS, as Harry Kane failed to return again. More in that later.

Defense was key to the success I saw in Gameweek 12, currently sitting on 58 points and a green arrow that’s seed me up 160k to 606k. While not overly impressive I continue to chip away, after a less than stellar start. Heading into Sunday I have Richarlison, who I captained and Shane Duffy. This is the third week the Watford man has donned the captain’s armband. Fed up with the lack of returns from Harry Kane, I couldn’t see handing the armband to him this week away to the Gunners.

The key for my squad this weekend was defense, posting 37 points, on the back of 4 clean sheets. Lukasz Fabianski was the only defender not to post a CS but did pick up a save bonus point. It took just 10 weeks but felt good owning Alonso, who put up 14 points, on a goal, clean sheet and a bonus point. He may have saved his starting position as Chelsea sail into a sea of green and we their GW13 fixture away to Liverpool.

Recent addition, Stephen Ward continues to impress, posting his third CS since I brought him in. Only red mark against him this week was a yellow card, but still finished on 5 points.

Sead Kolasinac was a surprise clean sheet, as I expected Spurs to defeat Arsenal but he match ended 2-0. Kyle Walker came close to picking up his 6th assist on the season but still finished on 9 points for the day. City kept the CS and coming continued to practice be why they are the best Premier team, finishes by off Leicester, 2-0.

The defender of the day was Marcos Alonso, who bought himself a f ew more weeks after a 14-point performance, on a goal, CS and 2 bonus points. It was his first goal since GW2. As mentioned earlier his number was close to coming up to be transferred out, due to lack of returns. After this performance I am inclined to hold him as Chelsea sail into a sea of green after GW13, away to Liverpool.

Spurs are on my last nerve, as Christian Eriksen failed to post an attacking return for the 4th consecutive game. While I would like to remain positive, especially after his hat trick for Denmark, I am not sure he will make it to Gameweek 13. Thankfully Mohammad Salah picked up the piece, hitting a brace and returning 16 points, this on the back of a 15-point return in Gameweek 11. If any play is essential at this point, Salah is the player to own.

Up front was another disappointing run out. While I was holding out hope that Vardy and Leicester might get a goal or two, that never happened. They were shut out and since picking up Vardy, he’s return just 1 goal and will not be in my starting XI coming next weekend.

As for Harry Kane, he to is beginning to piss me off. Like Eriksen, he hasn’t posted an attacking return in the last 3 games. Of those 3 games, I have not captained me, which is a positive, opting for Richarlison. While Kane is dynamic and exciting, I can’t keep £12.6 wrapped up in a player who, while in form has no consistency.

Heading into Sunday I have Richarlison, my captain, as well as Pascal Groß yet to play. Both have the opportunity to post good returns, as they have favorable match ups. We will wait and see what transpires over the next 2 days before we make any further hasty transfers. I say that, only because I hit the transfer button during the late games, bringing in Callum Wilson for Tammy Abraham, who went off injured. I am still left with 1 FT for GW13.